NEWS: Rep. Gara: ASD Summer School Closings Could be Prevented

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 29, 2013

Rep. Gara: ASD Summer School Closings Could be Prevented

Today, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) released the following statement in response to the Anchorage School District announcement that it is canceling summer school programs this summer due to budget restrictions.

“Yesterday’s announcement that summer school was cancelled is a hit to students who deserve or need the opportunity to continue learning throughout the year, but it was not unexpected. Many of us fought to reverse the four-year trend of teacher, staff, and education cuts, but so far, the Legislature and governor have not listened. They’re asking schools to do more, then forcing them to cut the people and opportunities students need to succeed.”

In the 2013 legislative session, House Democratic legislators offered legislation and numerous amendments to reverse these cuts and prevent lost opportunity for Alaska’s children. Each time they were defeated along party lines in the state house.

###